KUALA LUMPUR: Japan remains optimistic about the development of Japan-Malaysia economic relations in the coming years.
Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia Hiroshi Oka said the country is a key trading partner for Malaysia and the largest source of foreign direct investment to Malaysia, accounting for one-third of the total investments.
Oka said Japan is Malaysia's fourth largest trading partner, and as for Japan, Malaysia is its 11th largest trading partner in the world, and fourth among Asean countries after Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.
"There is a solid basis for business relations between Japan and Malaysia.
"There are good prospects that these good relations would be further strengthened," he said at the virtual press conference of memorandum of understanding (MoU) between SIRIM Bhd and Hitachi Asia (M) Sdn Bhd today.
Oka said Malaysia is in a good position to attract foreign companies, including Japanese companies, to expand their supply chain base into the country.
"In view of Covid-19 pandemic, the supply chain needed to be strengthened and one of the ways was through diversification of the production base.
"Rather than concentrate on one place, we need to diversify the production base in order to make the overall supply chain less vulnerable to unexpected outside crises," he said.
SIRIM and Hitachi Asia today signed a MoU which will enable a collaboration to introduce and deploy Industry 4.0 cloud-based digital solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing industry.
The collaboration will also see SIRIM and Hitachi Asia adopt its Industry 4.0 cloud-based digital solutions at SIRIM's Smart Manufacturing Experience Centre.
SIRIM president and group chief executive officer Datuk Ir Dr Ahmad Fadzil Mohamad Hani said the company is committed in building capabilities and capacities in the industry towards achieving higher productivity by offering strategic solutions that are up to date with emerging trends, affordable and tailored to the needs of modern enterprises.
He said the SIRIM Smart Manufacturing Experience Centre, an initiative under the Centre of Excellence for Smart Manufacturing, will enable SMEs to assess, learn and understand relevant platforms or technology and use cases to propel the SMEs into the I4.0 era.
"The experience centre located in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur will enable local talents to develop solutions to address pain points in their production line or shop floor.
"With close links to industry and understanding on Industry 4.0 technology, SIRIM is able to introduce new ideas and concepts, to be more efficient and productive through adoption of relevant platforms and technology such as Additive manufacturing/3D printing, Augmented Reality, Automated Optical Inspection and Collaborative Robot (COBOT) to the local players, especially SMEs," he said.
Meanwhile, Hitachi Asia managing director Chew Huat Seng said in Malaysia, manufacturing is changing faster than ever before and the drivers for this include localisation, individualisation, time to market and sustainability.
Chew said embracing digital solutions provides a platform for companies in building business resilience and undoubted benefits in automation and optimisation.
"To help companies become more responsive, productive and efficient, Hitachi provides smart manufacturing solutions that combine information technology (IT), operational technology (OT) and products," he added.
